Grants & Programs Associate, Arts

The McKnight Foundation - Minneapolis, MN; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 67,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

The McKnight Foundation in Minneapolis, MN seeks a professional Program and Grants Associate to support the Arts program and manage grantmaking activities. Reporting to the Grants & Information Management Director, the PGA assists with budgeting, reporting, and stakeholder engagement to advance program goals.

Core responsibilities include grantee relationship management, grant cycle tracking, and ensuring compliance with funding policies, while collaborating with program directors and officers

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of two years’ related full-time professional work experience in a foundation, nonprofit, or governmental field, or a combination of equivalent experience and training.
• Professional work experience in an administrative position is preferred, including experience maintaining a computer database and files.

Responsibilities

• Grantee relationship management, including external scheduling, grantee questions regarding grantmaking process, site visits with grantees, grant terms, and reporting requirements.
• Produce grantmaking budget for program, assist in monitoring payout.
• Process grant reports and create payment packets.
• Attend regular program team meetings, contribute to initial inquiry and/or reviews meetings.
• Track and manage quarterly grant cycle deadlines and board book process.
• Coordinate creation and production of team’s quarterly board book materials.
• Provide backup for other program and grants associates as needed.
• Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of the Foundation’s funding policies and procedures and program guidelines.
• Identify gaps in understanding and execution of funding procedures among Foundation staff, and assist with necessary training and/or follow-up.
• Identify opportunities for innovation, exploring new approaches, including racial equity grantmaking, nontraditional types of support, and other continuous adaptations to grantmaking practices.
• Review incoming grant and other funding request data for completeness.
• Prepare and send denial correspondence to requesting organizations.
• Collaborate with the communications team to ensure that all program information, online and print materials, is up-to-date, accurate, and effectively presented for various audiences.
• Prepare requests for program team review and update in grantmaking database.
• Respond to requests for pre-grant and post-grant approval information from Foundation staff and grantees.
• Review proposals for completeness, including required financial statements and legal information.
• Prepare reports for online grantee access and ensure report requirements contain relevant notes for accurate processing.
• Ensure compliance with overdue reporting policies through follow-up with grantees, program staff, and senior staff.

Skills

Communication

Data systems

Team collaboration

Project management

Attention to detail

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s degree

2+ years related experience

Job description

The McKnight Foundation in Minneapolis, MN seeks a professional Program and Grants Associate to support the Arts program and manage grantmaking activities. Reporting to the Grants & Information Management Director, the PGA assists with budgeting, reporting, and stakeholder engagement to advance program goals.

Core responsibilities include grantee relationship management, grant cycle tracking, and ensuring compliance with funding policies, while collaborating with program directors and officers